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SCARSDALE, N.Y.—Trinity Lutheran Church embraced a theme of community this holiday season, as parishioners helped coordinate charities for Hurricane Sandy victims while supporting the less fortunate throughout Scarsdale and White Plains.

The 88-year old church, 25 Crane Road, Scarsdale, is accustomed to helping the needy said the pastor, Dr. Merlin Rehm. “Everything we do is related to the Bible. It is what I base my sermon on and it what we try to base our actions on.”

The church collected Christmas ornaments, decoration and gifts for the victims of Hurricane Sandy. Simultaneously, parishioners raised $4,175 for local charities which was used in part to buy clothes for the Rockland Psychiatric Center and food for the White Plains Ecumenical Food Pantry. According to Pastor Rehm, the remainder of the money will be used to help the less fortunate in the community.

“This time of year is really about giving back to the community,” said Rehm. “We just concluded six to eight different fundraising events designed to do that. We try to support people as much as we can whether now or throughout the year.”

“We try to get as many people involved in the church as possible,” said Anthony Newton, choir director and organist. “My goal is to get people excited, to get people, especially young people to come to church. I think one of the best ways to do that, besides the message of church, is through music—it helps bring people together.”